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Anchored Hearts

Friday, October 31, 2014

The warmth of Thanksgiving gives a dedicated reporter and a powerful businessman a chance to count their blessings in this tender, sensual novella from Lisa Renee Jones.

Kali Miller has spent three years reporting fluff stories for a small-town Texas paper, waiting for the opportunity to pen the article that will launch her career to new heights. That dream has never felt further away when she suddenly finds herself out of work, forced to take a job as an executive secretary at a Las Vegas casino. But that’s exactly where Kali meets the subject of what will surely be a shocking exposé: her boss, Damion Ward, the casino’s arrogant and undeniably sexy CEO.

Watching Damion make his cold, calculating business maneuvers, Kali is positive she’s doing the right thing. But after Damion invites her to help him plan a Thanksgiving charity event, Kali begins to see another side of the man. And when she surrenders to the exhilarating tension that’s been simmering between them since day one, Kali becomes part of her own story, which she hopes will have a happy ending.

EXCERPT #1

Lisa Renee Jones Play with Me Copyright 2014

“We need to talk,” he says, as if this is a casual event requiring nothing more than a chat, as if I’m not being treated like a felon.

“Talk?” I demand, all the emotions of hours of confinement rising up in me to near bursting. “We needed to talk seven hours ago. Now? Now we don’t need to talk.”

He steps forward, crowding me, forcing me to give him space or let him become a part of mine. I have a rare violent urge to shove him, but I retreat into the room instead. He steps closer and kicks the door shut behind him, and damn him, that delicious scent of him tickles my nose, and the teasing eruption of sensations in my body only serves to make me more angry. I don’t want to feel the way he makes me feel. I don’t want him to be the one man who sparks something in me that no one else does.

“I couldn’t call,” he has the audacity to say. “Just like I couldn’t tell you I knew we had a security breach when you told me what the computer was doing in my office.”

“So you knew what was happening and didn’t tell me?”

“There’s a procedure to—”

“I don’t give a damn about procedures, Mr. CEO, especially from the one who sets the rules I’ve suffered with.” The edginess in me results in me poking my finger at his chest, heat dashing up my arm. “Just tell me one thing. Am I free to leave?”

He looks down at my finger and then his gaze lifts, but there is no anger in his face. There is something else, something I can’t identify. “I got you cleared, but—”

Relief is instant, and I cut him off. “That’s all the talking you need to do.” I try to turn away, intending to gather my things, but he shackles my wrist, more heat ripping up my arm and over my chest.

“Let go,” I snarl, hating a man I barely know who has put me through hell. It’s like I’m a masochist. Why else would I be drawn to yet another powerful asshole?

His lips thin, and I wish I didn’t notice how sensual and perfect they are. “We have to talk.”

“No,” I assure him. “We do not.”

“We’re going to talk.”

“You aren’t my boss anymore, which translates to the end of all conversation.”

He tugs me close, his hard body aligned with mine, and I can barely breathe. “What do you know of Ms. Duncan?”

“If you mean Natalie, she was in HR when I was.”

“There were circumstances.”

“Yeah. I get that. Believe me, I get it.”

“No. You don’t. She has nothing to do with you or us.”

Us? What does he mean, us? And why is my hand on his chest? Why can’t I move it? “I’m done. Let me go.”

“You won’t change your mind about quitting?”

“No.”

His fingers tangle into my hair, dragging me closer. “Then why would I let you go?”

Both of my hands have now found the wall of his chest, and I intend to push him away, but I just . . . don’t. “What are you doing?”

“What do you think I’m doing? Finding out if you taste as good as I think you do.” And then his lips are on mine, his tongue licking seductively into my mouth, sending erotic sensations spiraling through my body. I tell myself this is insanity. To push away. We barely know each other. I don’t even like him. Except I know it’s a lie. I know that in the short time we’ve known each other, every shared moment, every mutual look, every touch and tangled word exchange, has been leading to this.

Another lick of his tongue and I am unable to hold back a moan or the desperate need to be closer to him. I arch forward, desperate to feel him against me. Desperate to have him naked and touching me. Me touching him. Desperate to be naked and have him inside me. He is a drug, a wicked, wonderful drug that will finally be the end of my sanity if I allow him to be.

That idea sends a burst of panic and adrenaline through me, and I shove at his chest. “Stop. We can’t.”

His mouth leaves mine, and I am one part relief, one part painful need to pull him back. “Why?” he demands, and his voice is rough, affected.

“You’re my boss.”

“You quit.”

“Right. Which means I leave now.”

“You want to leave?”

No. “Yes.”

His eyes darken to deep pools of green fire and stormy torment, telling me he knows this is a mistake. He knows. I know. Why are we still here? “Tell me you really mean that and I’ll let you go,” he vows. “But just know this: If you stay, I absolutely will fuck you senseless and then do it again.”

“I . . . you . . . we can’t . . .”

“We can. I’m going to kiss you now, Kali.”

“Kali?” I whisper, unbelievably aroused by my name on his lips.

“Yes. Kali.” And then he is kissing me, his tongue caressing into my mouth, seeming to touch every intimate part of my body, stroking deep, and burning through me. Sensations roll through me, teasing my senses, torturing me with how much I want him and how wrong I know this is. But then his hand caresses my backside, pulling me closer, hard against his hips, his thick erection pressed to my belly, and I can’t remember why exactly it’s wrong. I am lost. Lost in him. Lost in what I feel, and I don’t want to let anything else in. Not the past. Not the last few hours. I don’t care anymore.

I wrap my arms around his neck, crushing my breasts to his chest, and gasp as he tears his mouth from mine. Then he is staring at me, searching my face for something I don’t understand. And I don’t know what he sees, or what he finds, but his eyes soften, and he strokes the hair from my face. “I was right. One kiss isn’t even close to enough.” His mouth comes down on mine again, and my fingers curl into the fabric of his shirt, holding on to him, willing him not to stop. This time the kiss is deeper, a dark demand that I answer willingly, eagerly, my tongue stroking against his.

Suddenly his fingers wrap my waist and he lifts me, setting me down on the wooden dining room table, spreading my legs to step between them.

“What are you doing?”

He reaches up and tugs on the front zipper of my dress. “Undressing you.”

A moment of clarity comes to me, and I grab his hand. “You need to know this changes nothing. I’m still furious about today. I don’t even know if I like you.”

“But you want me. That’s a start.”

He tugs on my zipper and I don’t stop him, my hands going to the table, trying to stabilize myself, though I’m not sure that is possible. This man is shoving my bra down and ravishing my breasts with a hot inspection that makes my sex clench and my thighs ache.

“I . . .” I pant, and forget what I was going to say. He’s cupping my breasts, pressing them together, and stroking my nipples with his thumbs.

I squeeze my eyes shut, fighting for sanity, but his mouth closes down over one of my nipples, sucking deeply, and I am arching my back, offering myself to him. Silently begging him for more. It’s just been so long, I tell myself. So very long since someone touched me like this. So long since I felt like a woman. This isn’t me radiating toward men who like to hurt me. This isn’t me torturing myself. It’s him torturing me in all the right ways.

My hands go to his hair, but he slips away, going down on a knee and caressing my dress up my thighs. “Now I’m going to officially apologize for what happened today,” he vows

My Review:

Have you ever had an all consuming, mind blowing attraction to someone that everything seemed that it can't be true, well Kali and Damion had that from the time they first met. Lisa sure knows how to keep you wanting more from the beginning to the end, well for me I didn't want to end... From the first time I ever read one of her books, I fell head over heels from them...Congratulations, I love it.. It is one of those must reads in my book..

Life is hard. Life leaves you beaten, broken...alone. Then one day, a stranger touches your hand and you feel something intense, unforgettable, but yet, you want to forget. You need to forget. It’s safer than believing in things you’ve decided don’t exist. You know all about shattered promises and lost hope. You know them so much better than you know this excited, warm, wonderful feeling, and it scares you. He scares you, but he also makes you feel alive again. He makes you realize you haven’t really been living. You’re surviving and you fear he’s the one who’ll make you forget how to keep doing it. But what if he’s the one who changes everything?

About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT SERIES, and is now in development by Suzanne Todd (Alice in Wonderland) for cable TV. In addition, her Tall, Dark and Deadly series and The Secret Life of Amy Bensen series, both spent several months on a combination of the NY Times and USA Today lists.

Since beginning her publishing career in 2007, Lisa has published more than 40 books translated around the world. Booklist says that Jones suspense truly sizzles with an energy similar to FBI tales with a paranormal twist by Julie Garwood or Suzanne Brockmann.

Prior to publishing, Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by Dallas Women Magazine. In 1998 LRJ was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at on her website and she is active on twitter and facebook daily.

BLURB

Chicago is in ruins. True evil has been unleashed upon the world, but no one seems to believe…

Milo and Killian attempt to free themselves from the madness David Wormwood left behind, but they quickly find themselves searching for the answer to an unknown riddle, something that has to do with a cult and the saying, “In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king.”

The hunter is back from hell with the love of his life Laura, but has he really escaped the clutches of the demonic forces he sabotaged? He’ll find out somewhere in the bayous of Louisiana and inside the pages of a legendary book.

Abigail Williams has finally found the power she sought, but she doesn’t understand. Why doesn’t she feel good? Why doesn’t she feel immortal? And why does she keep pondering the question: Will the Pendulum swing towards who is right, or who is left?

John Dawson Jackson returns to the first book of his career with new stories, new characters, and plenty of bloodshed. If you were a fan of The Relics, prepare to be amazed!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born in a ditch beside a busy highway, John Dawson Jackson never knew his parents. Taken in by wealthy philanthropists Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Elmo Jackson, he was trained from the age of two in classical piano. A horrible accident left his arm damaged, ending his dream before it began. He was forced to undertake control of his adopted father's oil business, a company that allowed him to travel the globe and explore the far reaches of civilization. As he studied the ancient carvings of the Mesopotamians, he realized just how much of our history has been covered up by powerful people. These findings have been collected into his new novel The Relics 2. Or maybe that's a lie...maybe this is true... John Dawson Jackson is an independent author based out of the Knoxville, TN area who has a broad spectrum of interests. Predominantly, his novels integrate the genres of fantasy, history, and horror with intriguing mind bending qualities. All of his works are based in the supernatural and exist within the same universe--a sometimes frightening, but always exhilarating place where Jackson enjoys playing with the interconnectivity of what is real, myth, and rumor. His most recent novel, The Relics 2, charts a path through history, blending both fact and fiction as ancient objects of power shape lives and bring together some of the most interesting and terrifying characters the world has ever seen as they realize their collective destinies.

Nelle L’Amour’s USA Today bestselling THAT MAN series continues with more laughter, more drama, and more scorchin’ hot Blake Burns. You are invited to the wedding of the century… 700 guests and counting. All Blake’s tiger wanted was a small wedding in her parents’ backyard. But with Blake’s controlling mother calling the shots, not to mention the wedding planner from hell, Jennifer’s patience is tested. Meanwhile, Blake has to deal with a skeleton in the closet: a jealous, delusional woman from his past who harbors a secret… A big secret…one that threatens to tear the perfect couple apart. Will Blake and Jennifer get their happily ever after? The THAT MAN series concludes with the epic, gripping final episode, coming in December 2014.

Nelle L’Amour is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Los Angeles with her Prince Charming-ish husband, twin teenage princesses, and a bevy of royal pain-in-the-butt pets. A former executive in the entertainment and toy industries with a prestigious Humanitus Award to her credit, she gave up playing with Barbies a long time ago but still enjoys playing with toys with her husband. While she writes in her PJs, she loves to get dressed up and pretend she’s Hollywood royalty.

Her books include the highly rated Seduced by the Park Avenue Billionaire Boxed Set, Undying Love, Gloria’s Secret, Gloria’s Revenge and the That Man trilogy. Gloria’s Forever, a novella, will be published in Spring 2014.

“Are you ready for part two of this gift?”My tiger eyed me suspiciously. “And that would be—”“The fun part. You get to ride me.”Jen’s face lit up like a little kid about to go on one of those coin-operated mechanical horsey rides. Wasting no time, she tore off my boxers she had on and repositioned herself, straddling my lap with my cock impaled inside her. Gripping her hips, I bucked her hard as she rode me up and down. I hissed. Fuck, yeah! This was good. So fucking good and for both of us. Holding on to my shoulders, she got to control the pace while I got to go as deep and as hard as I could. I repeatedly hit her G-spot with each powerful thrust. She shrieked with pleasure each time I did.I gazed at her heated face. Her head arched back, she looked so impassioned, and I was mesmerized by the way the dangling earrings I’d just given her shook and shimmered. Quivering as if they were having little orgasms of their own. I was tempted to nibble her lobes but worried in my state of lust I might bite off an earring and swallow it whole.I gripped her hips tighter as she accelerated her pace. The friction and heat of her rubbing against my thick length felt so fucking amazing.“Do you like your present?”“Oh, God, yes!” she panted out. “I’m so close to coming!”“Good, baby,” I groaned.On the next deep thrust, she fell apart with a thunderous “Yes” and I could feel her throbbing all around my pulsing cock. Her body shook as I grunted out my own explosive climax and met hers full on. Spent and sweaty, we collapsed onto each other, her arms wrapping around me. We stayed in that position for several sweet minutes as we rode our orgasms out.Five minutes later, we were nestled side by side, her head resting on my chest. We were almost recovered. Now close to five, the sun had begun its disappearing act and cast a mellow amber glow.Jen traced lazy, ticklish circles on my chest. “Baby, I’ll never be able to top that birthday present.”I playfully flicked the tip of her cute upturned nose. “Don’t worry, you will.”“Do you have something in mind?”“Yeah, I do.” I was turning the big three-O.“How ‘bout a hint?”“I want to wake up to my wife.”I felt her jolt against me. “What are you saying, Blake?”“What I’m saying is that I want to marry you on the day before my birthday.”“December twentieth? Gosh, Blake. That’s only two months away.”“Jen, we’ve been engaged for over five months and it’s time to set a date. My mother has been driving me crazy.”Jen giggled. “Mine too. I keep telling her that we’ve just been too busy at work.”Which was true. Except I’d checked our calendars and had come to the conclusion that Saturday, the twentieth, would be a perfect time to get married. With Christmas around the corner, most of our SIN-TV productions would be shut down and our offices would be closed until January third—giving us an opportunity to go on a two-week honeymoon. I explained all this to Jen. She agreed. It made total sense.She rolled on top of me and gave me a hot spontaneous kiss. “Oh my God, Blake, we’re really going to get married!” The excitement in her voice was contagious. I smashed my lips against hers. “Yes, you’re going to become Mrs. Blake Burns, and tonight we’re going to break the news to our parents.”“My mother is going to be so excited!” Jen beamed. “She’s been planning our wedding forever.”I didn’t know if Jen could feel my heart skip a beat. I quietly gulped. And so had my mother. Instead of letting her know this, I urged her to take a shower with me and get ready for our dinner.The future Mrs. Blake Burns had another surprise in store.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Title: Whatever You Do (Try Again, #2)

Author: Stephanie Smith

Release Date: January 15, 2014

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb

How do you trust someone who is everything you’re trying to avoid?

Harper Lindellis having a bad day. You know, if a bad day consists of getting fired from your cushy job and then catching your boyfriend red handed playing hide the salami.Sick of meeting the same guys over and over, Harper decides to try her luck at Internet dating. How bad could it be? Right?Tate Washingtonwasn’t looking to meet anyone. Still dealing with the consequences of his one serious relationship, all he’s interested in is revamping his family’s behind-the-times café.He didn’t plan on seeing the beautiful receptionist from Argo again, walking into his life to use his café as a dating hub, and using him as a BFF.Can Harper really trust Tate, who is everything she thinks she needs to steer clear of?Can Tate wait while Harper works through her insecurities and fears?

Excerpt

“Andrew?” I question as I reach the table.“Yes. Harper, hello.” He shakes my hand and the first thing I notice are his warm eyes. They are gentle and sincere and I feel instantly comfortable with him. “Take a seat, please.”He gestures to my seat before pulling it out for me to sit in. I smile up at him in thanks for the chivalrous action as I slide into the chair.During our emails back and forth this week, Andrew and I had figured out that we are from similar small towns not far from each other. We laugh about all the misguided town folk and the classic ‘types’ every town has. The town clown who has thought of every invention under the sun, the do-gooder mayor, the old lady gossip group, and the crazy minister and his family. Of course I didn’t laugh at that last one, as true as it is, being the daughter of a minister and all.“So what do your parents do?” Andrew asks.“Umm.” I stall looking for a distraction, not wanting to make to him feel bad.“What can I get you guys?” Tate offers and I’m grateful for the interruption.“Oh gosh I haven’t even looked yet,” Andrew says as he picks up the menu from the table.“Just the usual for me please.” As my eyes reach Tate’s his are wide with horror. I sit upright at the urgency in his expression wondering what the hell is going on.He nods his head in Andrew’s direction and I glance over. Andrew is studying the menu oblivious to mine and Tate’s silent conversation.I look back at Tate giving him a ‘what’ look as he scratches his head then stiffly nods back in Andrew’s direction.I sigh frustrated and look back at Andrew. He looks up from his menu and smiles at me before turning to Tate and placing his order.I still don’t see a problem and look back to Tate with a ‘just fucking tell me’ look.He begins running his hand through his hair as he harshly nods in Andrew’s direction again. I don’t even bother looking at Andrew again, knowing I’m not going to see anything different than before.With wide eyes and a clenched jaw, I get out through gritted teeth, “I think that’s all.”Tate sighs heavily, clearly frustrated and storms away from the table.I shake my head and when I turn back to Andrew he is staring at me in confusion. “Sorry,” I giggle embarrassed he witnessed that final interaction between Tate and me.“No worries.” He is sweet but his voice is wary. Tate and I probably looked like two mute idiots. How humiliating.Andrew seamlessly continues our conversation. I use this opportunity to study him and search for the meaning of Tate’s irrational display.I didn’t really focus on Andrew’s features before. He’s not ugly, but he’s definitely not in the same calibre as Tate or Glenn.Now that I’m looking closer at him, there is something off about his looks. I can’t put my finger on it but something doesn’t fit. It has to be something small like his eyes aren’t in line or his facial features are too far apart, maybe bad teeth or ears that are too big or small, but I can’t see any of that. All his features seem symmetrical and in proper proportion to his face, but something is definitely not right.Out of the corner of my eye I see Tate flailing his arms about. I shoot a glance his way trying not to be noticeable only to see he is frantically running his hand through his hair before tugging on the ends. No, tugging is too tame, he is pulling hard on his hair.I glance around the café and no one has seemed to notice Tate’s complete and mental breakdown. He’s lost it. Maybe it’s all the coffee fumes, they are really strong in here.When I look back towards Tate he is on his way over to the table carrying our hot drinks. I roll my eyes at his determined stare and wonder what antics he has planned for us this time.Tate doesn’t falter as he strides towards the table and proceeds to drop a hot cup of coffee all over the table and into Andrew’s lap. I gasp in shock at what is unfolding in front of me. Andrew jumps from his seat, squealing like a small girl. I watch horrified as his hair falls off his head and lands on the table in front of me.My mouth drops open as I just stare at Andrew’s toupee lying in spilt coffee. Glancing up at Andrew I see the heat rising on his face and shiny bald head. I smile awkwardly at him as I pick up his hairpiece and hold it out to him as if it’s a pair of dirty underwear and I can’t stand to touch it.He quickly swipes it from my hand and places it on his head, but not before I notice his whole head, bright red in mortification. It’s like a beacon calling in planes for landing. Andrew stares at me, his hairpiece on backwards and coffee leaking from it, dripping all down his face.“I’m so sorry Andrew,” I whisper, as I place both my hands over my mouth. Shit, I can feel the laughter rising.“No, I’m sorry Harper.” My gut churns on his behalf at the humiliation he must be feeling. The silence of the café surrounds us, lucky it’s not overly busy at this time of night. Andrew glares at Tate who smiles and raises his hands innocently, before Andrew storms out of the café not breathing another word, just leaving a trail of coffee in his wake.“You’re welcome,” Tate says casually as he pulls a clean chair up to the table, before relaxing back into it and crossing his ankles in front of him.

Brooke Willis had everything she ever wanted: a happy marriage, volunteer placement at the art gallery, and the promise of starting a family with the man of her dreams.

Saxon Reed had everything he ever thought he needed: a successful career, nice cars, expensive apartment, and more money than he knew what to do with.After losing her husband Brooke insists on taking over his company to keep his dreams alive. Struggling in an industry she knows nothing about, Brooke turns to Saxon, her husband’s best friend and business partner, for guidance and support. Their mutual grief, and Saxon’s need to look after his best friend’s wife, creates a connection beyond just business.Can Brooke take over the company and find a new life without saying goodbye to the past? Can Saxon protect and care for Brooke without scaring her away?What happens when your heart doesn’t listen to your head? When lines are crossed and boundaries are pushed?

About the Author

I'm first & foremost a reader & fangirl, I will always be first & foremost a reader & fangirl. I am on street teams, I pimp and I brag. I LOVE my Authors!!I have recently started writing as a way to relax and spend some time for me. My first novel Wherever You Will Go is due to release later this year. I'm having so much fun writing my first story and I'm looking forward to the journey it is taking me on.